Current Nanomaterials - Volume 9, Issue 1, 2024

Semiconductors have gained recognition as efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of antibiotics in water. However, their performance is limited due to poor absorption of light, recombination of electron-hole pairs, and poor recovery from an aqueous solution. This study reviewed the inclusion of semiconductor nanoparticles in a metal-organic framework (MOF), forming nanoparticle@MOF composite to overcome these challenges. Three methods including ship-in-bottle, bottle-around-ship, and one-step synthesis were identified for the synthesis of nanoparticle@MOF composite. Among the synthesis methods, the one-step method remains promising with high prospects. Nanoparticle@MOF composite has exhibited high efficiency in removing antibiotics in an aqueous system utilizing visible light as a photo source for promoting the process. Despite the success achieved, there is a need for large-scale studies and cost evaluation to understand better the feasibility and economic implications of the nanoparticle@MOF composite technique as an affordable technique for the purification of an antibiotic-contaminated water system.

Water is the most critical component of the earth's ecosystem because it is fundamental to the survival of plants and animals. However, our water supply is continuously polluting. Removing contaminants from water is a crucial part of addressing water scarcity and maintaining a healthy ecosystem for all. This review focuses on adsorption and the CNTs/AC family nano adsorbents and their contribution to the removal of fluoride and other contaminants. Many types of wastewater treatment methods have been employed, including precipitation, ion-exchange, adsorption, membrane filtration, etc. A water technology with great efficiency and low cost, without requiring costly infrastructure, is the most preferred option due to adsorption. Recently, the application of carbon family nanomaterials as adsorbents has been prevalent due to their phenomenal surface properties, simple customization, immense specific surface area, numerous variations in structural type, chemical stability, porosity, low density, ease of regeneration, and the ability to be reused. Hazardous contaminants, such as fluoride, generate major public health risks. Water contamination by heavy metals provides a significant health concern, including an increased chance of getting diseases like cancer, anaemia, carcinogenic effects, and acute effects in children. The increased presence of fluoride in water could cause fluorosis, joint pain, severe anaemia, and other problems. The following review focuses on current findings regarding the utilisation of CNTs and AC nanoparticles in the elimination of harmful contaminants and fluoride.

By virtue of the rapid development of technologies in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0, additive manufacturing technology enables faster production, diverse raw materials, infinite shapes and geometries for fine products as compared to traditional manufacturing methods. Among many manufacturing materials, nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention due to their wide variety, high strength, and effect of catalytic, quantum, surface and boundary. From the aspect of an industrial manufacturing process, the practical advantages of using additive manufacturing techniques to fabricate nanomaterial-incorporated membranes for gas separation are valuable. This paper reviews the potential of using additive manufacturing in the fabrication of membranes incorporated with nanomaterials for gas separation.